Tifton Boating Accident Lawyer

Were you recently injured in a boating accident in Tifton, Georgia? If another party’s negligence caused the accident, you might be entitled to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, suffering, and more. However, recovering the money you deserve may require the assistance of a skilled legal advocate. Contact the Tifton boating accident lawyers at The King Firm.

We are here to help. Our lawyers have over 16 years of combined legal experience and have acquired millions on behalf of our clients. We stand up for victims after devastating accidents and ensure they recover the fair compensation they need to move on with their lives.

Call our law firm at (229) 386-1376 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We’re here to listen to your story and explain the legal options available after a boating accident in Tifton, GA.

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How Can Our Personal Injury Lawyers Help You After a Boating Accident in Tifton, GA?

Whether you were involved in an accident in a kayak, sailboat, personal watercraft, jet ski, or another vessel, you may be dealing with painful injuries that result in high financial costs. You should be focusing on your health rather than battling insurance companies and others for compensation.

Let The King Firm handle your legal issues while you focus on your recovery. We have one of the most experienced Georgia civil trial lawyers on our legal team, meaning you’re in good hands entrusting your case to us.

When you hire our Tifton personal injury lawyers to handle your boating accident case, you can expect us to:

Coordinate with investigative agencies (if applicable) as we evaluate how your boat accident happened and who is liable
Calculate the full value of your damages, including future medical costs
Handle your case from start to finish, keeping you updated at all times and ensuring you understand the ramifications of any decisions you make
Negotiate on your behalf so that you take home the compensation you deserve
Litigate your case before a Tift County jury if we fail to secure a fair out-of-court settlement for you

Don’t hesitate to contact our law office for compassionate and honest legal advice after a boating accident in Tifton, GA. We’re available 24/7 to help.

How Common Are Boating Accidents in Georgia?

The U.S. Coast Guard reported a total of 4,439 nationwide boating accidents in 2021, which caused 658 deaths and 2,641 injuries.

Out of those accidents, 91 happened in Georgia, resulting in 15 fatal accidents that caused 17 deaths.

What Causes Most Boating Accidents in Tifton, GA?

Most accidents on the water happen due to a boat operator’s negligent or reckless actions.

Some of the most common causes of boating accidents include:

Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Operator inattention
Improper lookout
Operator inexperience
Speeding
Improper anchoring
Violations of boating regulations
Violations of navigational rules
Poor boat maintenance
Making sharp turns
Failure to have working lights
Failure to have proper safety equipment aboard, such as fire extinguishers, life jackets, and visual distress signals

Not all boat accidents occur due to human error. For example, sudden inclement weather could create dangerous conditions that even the most experienced boat owners are unable to maneuver. Additionally, defective boating equipment or parts could contribute to accidents.

What Is My Tifton Boating Accident Claim Worth?

Every boating accident is unique: there are different vessels, victims, injuries, and circumstances involved in every case. Accordingly, it’s difficult to give an exact figure without knowing the specifics of your case.

However, the following factors will be relevant to calculating your boat accident case value:

The nature and severity of your boat accident injuries
The impact your injuries have on your quality of life
Whether you’re able to work in the same capacity as before the boat accident
The medical expenses, lost earnings, and out-of-pocket costs you’ve incurred due to the boat accident
Whether you share fault for the boat accident
The parties involved in your boat accident case
The pain and suffering that resulted from your injuries

As you can see, many things can affect the value of your boat accident case. Our Tifton personal injury attorneys will be able to give you a better idea of what you can expect once we learn more about your accident.

What Types of Compensation Can Boating Accident Victims Recover in Tifton, GA?

Boat accident victims in Georgia have the ability to pursue compensation for their financial (economic) and non-financial (non-economic) losses.

Economic damages compensate victims for things like:

Medical costs, including doctor’s visits, ER bills, surgery, and treatment
Future medical expenses, such as rehabilitative care
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
Out-of-pocket expenses
Property damage expenses

Non-economic damages compensate victims for things like:

Mental anguish
Physical pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Scarring
Disfigurement
Lost enjoyment of life
Inconvenience

Contact The King Firm today to determine what kinds of compensation may be available in your Tifton boating accident case. We’re here to help you pursue every cent you need.

Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Partially At Fault for a Boating Accident in Georgia?

The answer to this question will depend on the level of fault you share. Georgia law implements a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar to recovery. If you share 50% or more of the blame for the boat accident, you’ll be barred from recovery.

However, if you share below 50% fault, you can still recover compensation, but your award will be reduced proportionately to your share of blame. For example, if you are allocated 30% of the blame for the boat accident, you can only take home 70% of your awarded compensation.

What Are Common Injuries Sustained in Boating Accidents?

Boat accident victims can sustain all types of injuries, from minor scrapes to life-altering impairments.

Our Tifton boating accident attorneys can help victims who have suffered any type of injury, including:

Traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions
Fractured and broken bones
Lacerations and contusions
Soft tissue injuries
Neck injuries
Back injuries
Burns
Facial injuries
Eye injuries
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Shock
Hypothermia
Amputations
Internal organ damage
Spinal cord damage
Paralysis and other catastrophic injuries

No matter how minor or severe your injuries, you deserve to be compensated for them if the accident wasn’t your fault. Our Tifton personal injury lawyers can help you hold the at-fault party accountable and ensure that you’re made whole again.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Boating Accident in Tifton?

Negligence is the root of most boating accidents, and means the at-fault party’s carelessness caused harm to another person.

To prove negligence, you must demonstrate the following elements:

The defendant owed you a duty of care (e.g., boat operators owe anyone in the vessel and sharing the waterways a responsibility to act reasonably to avoid causing harm)
The defendant breached their duty by acting unreasonably under the circumstances
The defendant’s breach of duty directly and proximately caused you harm
You suffered damages (e.g., medical expenses, lost wages, etc.)

In order to prove the elements of negligence in a boat accident case, you’ll need evidence, such as:

Accident reports from the U.S. Coast Guard, Georgia DNR, or any other agency that investigated the incident
Medical records and reports
Statements from your healthcare providers regarding the severity of your injuries and how they impact your everyday life
Expert witness testimony
Eyewitness statements
Employment records
Statements from your family and friends regarding how the boat accident has impacted your quality of life

Our boating accident lawyers in Tifton are here to help you gather evidence proving each element of negligence. We want to ensure that you have a strong claim so that you can take home the financial recovery you deserve. Contact us today so we can start working on your boat accident case.

How Long Do I Have To File a Claim After a Boat Accident in Georgia?

Under Georgia’s statute of limitations, injured people typically only have two years from the date of the boating accident to file a personal injury claim. If you lost a loved one in a Georgia boating accident, you only have two years from their date of death (which may be different from the date of the boating accident) to file a wrongful death claim.

Don’t take too long to seek legal advice after a boating accident. You’ll risk missing the deadline, meaning you’ll forfeit your right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party. Additionally, evidence fades over time, so it’s crucial to start the legal process as soon as possible to ensure that you have a strong claim for damages.

Contact Our Tifton Boating Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation

If you’re dealing with injuries after a boating accident in Tifton, GA, contact The King Firm for help pursuing the compensation you deserve. Our legal team has over 16 years of combined experience in personal injury law, and we’re prepared to fight for you and ensure you are treated fairly throughout the legal process.

We offer a free case evaluation and work on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no risk in contacting us for help.